Pious Women

Dr. Kareemullah Makki, the son of Dr. Hafeezullah Madani (rahimahullah), mentioned the following regarding his respected mother:

‘A child’s first classroom is the mother’s lap’ is a well known adage. Alhamdulillah, we were blessed to be raised in the ‘classroom’ of my mother, who was extremely pious and blessed in all aspects of Deen. On account of her piety, she strove to instil within us (her children) piety and the values and mindset of Islam, and was thus very particular regarding our behaviour and actions. In fact, she would continuously monitor every action of ours and correct us where necessary.

The respected wife of Hazrat Doctor Hafeezullah Sukkharwi Muhaajir Madani (rahimahullah) was born in March 1917, and passed away in July 1992 at the age of 75.

She had acquired the basic secular education under private tutelage. When it came to Deen, she had practically memorized the entire Behishti Zewar. Hence, many women would come and ask her their various masaa-il which she would promptly answer from Behishti Zewar. Furthermore, she had read the Mawaa‘iz (discourses) Malfoozaat (selected sayings) and other works of Hazrat Moulana Ashraf ‘Ali Thaanwi (rahimahullah) multiple times. As a result of constantly reading his works, her mindset and outlook had become one that completely conformed to Deen and the sunnah of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam). She was thus filled with a perpetual motivation to carry out righteous works, and possessed a strong aversion for sin and bid‘ah (innovated practices). Practicing on Deen had literally become her second nature.

Ummul Aswad Al-‘Adawiyyah (rahimahallah) was a woman who had been breastfed by Mu‘aazah Al-‘Adawiyyah (rahimahallah).

Mu‘aazah Al-‘Adawiyyah (rahimahallah) once said to Ummul Aswad (rahimahallah), “Do not spoil the pains that I took in breastfeeding you by eating haraam, for I did all that was possible to ensure that I ate only halaal when feeding you. Therefore, strive to consume only halaal so that you will perhaps be blessed to serve Allah Ta‘ala and be pleased with His decree.”

Ummul Aswad (rahimahallah) would thereafter mention, “If I ever partook of food that was even doubtful in nature, the result would be that I would either be deprived of fulfilling a fardh action or some other ‘ibaadah that I would normally carry out with punctuality on a daily basis.” (Sifatus Safwah vol.2, pg. 246)

‘Aaishah (radhiyallahu ‘anha) mentions that a black woman, who at one point was a slave, would sometimes come and speak to her. However, whenever the slave woman would arrive, she would recite the following before sitting:

وَيَوْمُ الْوِحَاشِ مِنْ تَعَاجِيْبِ رَبِّنَا

أَلَا إِنَّهُ مِنْ بَلْدَةِ الْكُفْرِ اَنْجَانِيْ

The day of the band is from the wonders of our Lord

Behold! He indeed saved me from the land of disbelief

‘Aaishah (radhiyallahu ‘anha) once asked her, “What is the matter? Why do you always recite this couplet when you sit with me?” In reply, the women narrated the following incident:

‘Aamir bin Aslam Al-Baahili (rahimahullah) narrates the following from his father:

We had a neighbour, in our locality, whose name was Hunaidah (rahimahallah). After a third or half the night had passed, she would stand and awaken her husband, children and servants saying, “Stand, perform wudhu and engage in salaah! You will soon be pleased with (and appreciate) what I am saying!” In this manner, Hunaidah (rahimahallah) continued to awaken them for Tahajjud Salaah until she passed away.

After she passed away, her husband had a dream one night in which he was told, “If you wish to join her in Jannah then continue to carry out her action among her household (of awaking the household for Tahajjud).” After seeing this dream, her husband began to awaken the household, as his late wife would do, until he passed away as well.

After his demise, his eldest son had a dream in which he was told, “If you wish to join your parents in their rank in Jannah then continue their action among their household (of awaking the household for Tahajjud).” The eldest son thus began to awaken the household, as his parents would do, until he passed away.